countryguy wrote:It looks like a generator but I do not know whether it is 6 or 12 volts. Most likely it is still 6 volts. Is it easy to identify if it has been changed over to 12 volts?
As a couple of the guys have said that would be the configuration for turning a 6v into a 12v real quick. The easy part is to simple remove the resistor and change the battery to a 6 volt battery and you should be back to the original configuration. I currently have a 56 that has a 12 volt battery on a 6 volt battery ignition setup in the barn. If I get it for myself, it is going back to 6 volt. This one will eventually go back to a mag as well as I prefer mags to distributors.
Usually the resistor looks something like this:

Used to find them on the older Chrysler cars, my 63 Imperial had that setup and that is the part I ordered when I put the resistor on the 56 for my neighbour.